The letter of motivation
By Career counseling


Want to be more than just your CV? To better highlight your personality and strengths in relation to this position, we recommend a motivation/cover letter. This is your chance to stand out from the crowd and show why you are the perfect person for the job.

However, a cover letter is not just about introducing yourself. It is much more about the motivation behind your application. Make sure you get off to a good start that makes people want to read on. Describe how your education and experience can give you an advantage in meeting the challenges of the company’s industry and include your expectations of the company. You should also mention when you could start and that you are open to questions. But it’s not just these general criteria that are important. Here are some tips for writing a strong cover letter:

Emphasise your individuality:
It’s not just about you and your personality, it’s also about your understanding of the position and the company’s values. Think about what the role requires and how your experience meets those requirements. It’s not just about generic phrases, it’s about the fact that you’ve done a lot of research into the role and the company.

Highlight your strengths and experience:
As mentioned above, it’s important to highlight specific qualifications and experience that make you the right person for the job. Avoid simply repeating your CV. Instead, explain why your particular skills can contribute to the company’s success.
Be authentic: Authenticity is key. Show your personality and motivation in an honest way. Employers appreciate candidates who can share their real motivations for applying. This authenticity will be reflected in your interview.

Pay attention to language:
Make sure you use formal and precise language. Avoid colloquialisms and check for grammatical and spelling mistakes. A professional cover letter makes a positive impression. However, you should write the letter yourself and use your language skills. There’s no point in letting artificial intelligence write your cover letter if it doesn’t match your language skills or your personality. Of course, you can use tools to generate ideas and improve your expression and language.

With careful preparation and by following these tips, you can score points with your cover letter and increase your chances of a successful application in German-speaking countries.